Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Damaged clear coating on aluminum wheels

I have a truck which had a set of nice clear coated stock aluminum wheels. Well unknowing me, I used an abrasive pad to clean them. They now have a hazy look to them, and no clear coat left. Is there something I can do to a) take out the scratchy/hazy look? b) re-clear coat the aluminum wheels?

Randy Weakley
USMC - Jacksonville, North Carolina
2003

---

Too bad mate, looks like they are stuffed! What needs to be done, is use methyl chloride paint stripper to remove all the clear. Get a good metal polisher to polish them up for you then , keep them waxed with Turtlewax liquid car polish [affil links]. It's really the only way. You will have to remove the tires first, so arrange it with the polisher first, so the truck doesn't spend too long up on blocks !

Good Luck ,

Mark Gunn
- NSW, Australia
2003